I woke up this morning pretty sad and discouraged.

Last night, I attended a city council meeting for a neighboring city- not even my own city. It was THAT IMPORTANT OF A MEETING, because what was being talked about affects the entire Twin Cities area.

While I didn't speak when public comments were open, I showed up to support those who DID speak.

The subject of public comments was the recent sale of 280 acres of land by the University of Minnesota to Meta, where the news says they plan to build a data center.

WHY does Meta want to build a data center in MN? I have so many theories, but let me just quote from the UMN "Concept Master Plan" for the land where the parcel lies:

"The development of the new sustainable community at

UMore Park will span several decades. The planning and

execution of the vision will change the face of Dakota

County, the greater Twin Cities region and the State

of Minnesota for generations."

https://psre.umn.edu/.../2022-03/conceptmasterplanfull.pdf

FOR GENERATIONS.

When one of the first facilities to be built in this community is a "data center", what are the first things I think of?

SMART cities.

15 Minute Cities.

Surveillance.

China.

The deal for the land has been shrouded in secrecy and the mayor of Rosemount announced that the city council is under an NDA and can not say much of anything about the plans for the area.

How are public officials (Rosemount City Council) allowed to enter into an NDA with the landowners who are a publicly funded institution (University of Minnesota)? It must be "legal", right? But is it ethical? Shouldn't deals that are going to affect the community be transparent?

Only a couple dozen people showed up to the meeting last night. That is the part that is sad and discouraging. Because, the fact is, this planned community is NOT built yet- it is still a CONCEPT. So the time for asking questions and voicing opinions against it IS NOW.

Actually, it was YESTERDAY.

The thing I've started to see as I get more involved with the grassroots side of politics is that it's ALWAYS THE SAME FEW PEOPLE showing up for the important things. I have my brainspace involved with so many different things right now, but I feel like I'm just doing the bare minimum and there's so much more I COULD be doing...

The reality is, though, that we just need MORE PEOPLE to help out with ALL THE THINGS.

What will it take for people to start showing up?

The excuses and apathy are no longer acceptable.